Miami forward Lionel Messi took a shot from the right side of Columbus' box that Crew defender Malte Amundsen deflected with his body before the ball got to goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, stymying Messi's attempt. The Crew had control of the ball inside Miami's box and had multiple opportunities to create a goal but fell short.

Columbus Crew ownership has been setting the stage for Saturday's showdown with Inter Miami inside Cleveland's NFL stadium for years, well before Lionel Messi began drawing record crowds across the league.